The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1887-06-02
Street of the Burnt Woman
4 Legend Of Mexico.

Street of the Burnt Woman.
Legend Of Mexico.
From the San Francisco Argonaut: :.
A wel!-known street of the Mexican
capital is La Gale de la Quemada, or
"the Street of the Burnt Woman"
whose romantic story is told in an
ancient parchment document, dusty
and long forgotten.
1t was two centuries ago that the
actors in this drama lived and moved
and had their being, but the story of
their lives comes down to us ofto-day
full OF fresh and vivid memory, as of
people we might know. And strange
ly enough it is pleasant story, too,
notwithstanding it's dark stain of hu.
man suffering; perhaps because, tragic
as were the events, the outcome of in
tense passion, they partook not of
the faint OF intrigue, of treachery and
dishonOr, that too often characterized
the love affairs OF the hot-blooded
spaniards. For this is a story OF love
and heroic sacrifice, and the lessons it
teaches are all sweet and wholesome.
Maria Anaya was one of the love-
lest maidens of Nueva Hispana.
Hers was that rare beauty, at once
glowing and gentle, that fills the hearts
OF men and women alike with yearn-
ing tenderness. "On her sweet face a
blessing!" said a hideous beggar crone,
one day on the Paseo, turning to look
after the girl; cit would warm
my heart to clasp her in my arms.
The day seems brighter, the world
seems better, since she came near.
long to serve her-to put myself be-
tween her and some danger"
In short, Marina was one of the few
beings gifted with the faculty Of win.
ming the love OF all. She had not an
enemy in the world. She lived a SIM
pie life enough in the home OF her par
ents, making their lives bright, going
her daily round with an even cheerful
ness of spirit, and gladly taking her
share OF such amusement and social
sunshine as was possible with the wom-
en- OF her day and race. She was no
saint, Marina, but neither was she a
coquette, a scold, a bigot, nor an empty
headed doll-but sweet, true, pure
minded woman. 1t was deemed strange,
in her wide circle OF acquaintance that
Marina had no lover. Suitors had
she galore, to choose from whom she
needed but to raise her finger. But
she elected not to choose. "Why should
wed?" she would say when question:
ed with urgence, "simply to haye a
husband? But what is q husband
worth if he be not dear? And better
that l live to robe the saints, as is
our saying, than to marry but that it
is the custom, and afterward meet one
to whom all the heart goes forth. Ay
Dios! what misery. Nay! nay! Think
my parents love me; and, until they
send me from their home, will not
marry, unless l come to love-. And
III that day, to follow a course requir.
ed even more than to-day Of firmness,
resolution, and singleness OF purpose,
Marina had her reward. There
came a change in the vice royalty
the viceroys were changed sometimes
the regal master occasionally opin.
ed that his representative thought
OF the subject first; and now
and again one embarked for an
other kingdom, to render there a.,
count OF his earthly craftsmanship
Thus, q new viceroy came to Mexico,
and with him, came Leonel de la Mon
tana, q comely youth of ancient lin
cage, especially ailed-by Philip the
Second for the journey to the new
world. He was noble, handsome rich
Was aught else lacking? Midst the dis
solute youth of the day might one look
for u saint? Such, indeed, was not
Leonel de la Montana; he was a sol
der, who had fought well and to his
own fame in the campaigns OF Elan
ders, and he had soldiers faults
But he was also brave and Knight
ly man, whose sins were never base
nor loathsome, and, Judged by the
standard of the time, he was excep
tional as to honor and morals.
lie met Marine soon after his arriv
al, who shall say how and where? or
the paseo Of those days, at church, OF
at one OF the infrequent tertulias O.
the time? And from the first time h.
saw her, he lived and breathed but 70,
Marina Anaya, and he made his
court with such eager assiduity that
they were soon betrothed. And Ma
rina found in her lover the fulfillment
OF her ideal, the realization of that
standard, lacking which she had beer
content to live unwedded. Her every
wish and aspiration were satisfied by
the excellences of Leonel. If only she
could persuade him that such was thu
truth! For the one thing that marrec
her perfect happiness, the one blemisl
in character otherwise all sym
metrical, was the terrible strair
OF jealousy in his nature. Il
may have been the proverbial modes
ty of the true lover, making him feel {
sense of his own unworthiness. Blu
whatever the motive, it seemed to hin
impossible that he should keep tn,
love OF Marina, widely beloved anc
charming as she was. When he gazet
upon her, he could not believe that sh,
should not be tickle, armed with TIN
power her beauty gave her, and il
maddened him to think her hear,
might swerve to another.
An immediate marriage might hav'
satisfied him of the good faith OF Ma
rina, but just after the betrothal tn
death of q distant relative threw tn,
Anayas into mourning after the fash
ion of the rigorous etiquette OF tn
Spaniards, and as soon as the,
dotted the sable suits ofcomplimentar!
woe, Lent was at hand. and no one who
lays claim to good taste marries ii
Cuaresma, even now, when more
liberal IDEAS prevail. How much less
readily then, when all the world wa:
under priestly rule. Lent over
Marina's father especially requested
that the nuptials should be deferred
until the arrival from Spain of 8
iavorite brother. uncle OF the pro